That fluffy hair. Those glittering gowns. A pointed chin and wide-eyed smile.

ABCDiana Ross has been married twice and has five children. One of them, actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, performed in Birmingham in 2002 in the play "The Vagina Monologues."

Close your eyes and picture Diana Ross, looming large over the R&B and pop charts in the 1960s,'70s and '80s.

Her catch phrase: "I love you all!" Her hit list: long and varied. Her personality: flamboyant and formidable.

At 64, she remains an iconic figure in the music world, capable of stirring crowds and capturing attention, merely by being Diana.

Career slowdown? Well, certainly. But Ross -- a heritage act to be reckoned with -- has a full, rich past to draw upon when she performs on tonight at Birmingham's City Stages festival.

Let's refresh our memories.

Born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Mich.

At age 7, lived with relatives in Bessemer while her mother recovered from tuberculosis.

Moved back to Detroit, began her music career as a teenager in the Brewster-Douglass projects with friends Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Betty McGlowan.

Sang in doo-wop group, the Primettes, later renamed the Supremes. This was a sister act to the Primes, an all-male group that became the Temptations.

Signed to Motown Records with the Supremes in 1961. Group became a trio (Ross, Ballard, Wilson) and Ross became lead singer in 1963, at the direction of label chief Berry Gordy.

Crossed over to pop charts with No. 1 singles such as "Baby Love," "Come See About Me," "Back in My Arms Again" and "Where Did Our Love Go?" Tension in the group resulted in Ballard's exit; she was replaced by Cindy Birdsong.

Courtesy of Everett CollectionThe Supremes, circa 1968-69

Enjoyed international fame throughout the decade, became equally popular with white and black audiences. Ross' primacy became ever more apparent; the trio was renamed Diana Ross & the Supremes.

Released more smash singles, including "Reflections," "Love Child," "The Happening," "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," "Someday We'll Be Together."

Gave final, splashy performance with the Supremes in 1970 at Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

Launched solo career that flourished throughout the decade, with singles such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)," "Touch Me in the Morning," "You Are Everything," "Love Hangover."

Starred in 1972's "Lady Sings the Blues," a film based on the life of Billie Holiday. Nominated for an Academy Award as best actress, won a Golden Globe. Movie soundtrack reached No. 1 on the charts.

Continued acting career with 1975's "Mahogany." Scored at the box office but flopped with critics. Achieved No. 1 pop song with "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)."

Won a Tony Award for one-woman show on Broadway in 1977, also televised as a special on NBC.

Cast as Dorothy in movie version of Broadway musical "The Wiz," with costars Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross and Michael Jackson. Proved to be a misstep; the 1978 film was a commercial and critical failure. Soundtrack album for "The Wiz" went gold, however.

Rebounded with 1979 LP "Diana," which went multiplatinum and included signature songs "I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down."

Recorded several hits in the 1980s, including movie themes to "It's My Turn" and "Endless Love" (a duet with Alabama native Lionel Richie).

Left Motown and signed a $20 million contract with RCA Records, the most lucrative deal for an artist at that time. Released blockbuster album in 1981, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."

Reunited with Supremes (Wilson and Birdsong) for TV special in 1983. Power struggles ensued during the performance, but were edited from the televised special.

Released hits such as "Missing You," "Muscles" and "Swept Away." Retained popularity in the United Kingdom, but U.S. career began to slow during the mid-to late 1980s.

APRoss in 2003

Starred in the ABC movie, "Out of the Darkness" in 1994 and received a Golden Globe nomination. Performed at halftime show of Super Bowl XXX in 1996.

Raised eyebrows in 1999 as a presenter at the MTV Music Awards when she touched the exposed breast of rapper Lil' Kim. Detained at Heathrow Airport in London for an altercation with a female security guard.

Announced reunion tour with Supremes in 2000, but Wilson and Birdsong declined, saying their payments were skimpy when compared to Ross' fee. Continued with plans, replacing Wilson and Birdsong with Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne. Slow ticket sales doomed the tour after nine dates.

Continued to record in 2000s, dueted with Rod Stewart on "I've Got a Crush on You," released CD titled "I Love You" in 2007 on Manhattan Records/EMI and made the Billboard top 40.

Toured in 2007 and appeared on "American Idol" TV series as mentor to contestants. Received an accolade for lifetime achievement at the BET Awards. Feted at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony.

Performed at May "Divas With Heart" benefit at Radio City Music Hall, along with Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight.